-- What if it turns out that the shooter was the father of one of the aborted children? --

My first speculation was along those lines. Somebody's wife, girlfriend or daughter suffered serious emotional damage post-abortion. Non-random murder is usually over something personal.

It's less likely (but certainly quite possible) the shooter didn't have a personal attachment, and was acting "on principle." (scare quotes for obvious reasons, I'm sure honest readers understand the sort of person meant to be described by that phrase).

Dont mischaracterize the movement you purport to understand. Its the pro-innocent-life movement.

Tiller didnt qualify.
++++++++++++++

Would you suggest we gun down vigilante style all those who violate God’s laws? Come on, you KNOW this was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Wrong morally, wrong tactics, wrong for the pro-innocent life movement.

There are MUCH better ways to achieve a much greater impact. The person that did this was stupid and would have much better served the movement by supporting the removal of Tiller’s license and stronger pro-life laws, locally and eventually nationally.

We are a nation of laws - unless we’re prepared to spit upon the Constitution and the Scriptures (do we know what the Torah is??) and I don’t think any of us in the pro innocent life movement is going to advocate that.

Are you?

369
posted on 05/31/2009 10:44:56 AM PDT
by SeattleBruce
(God, Family, Country and the Tea Party! Take America Back! [I hate the BIGOTS in the enemedia.])

They see him as a hero? Hey, even Hitler had people justifying what he did. You can create your own world and justify anything. They have done that with the murder of the most innocent and see nothing wrong with it.

The ELCA Social Statement on Abortion , adopted by the 1991 Churchwide Assembly, acknowledges the issue’s complexity, noting that it “evokes strong and varied convictions about ... human life and responsibility, freedom and limits.” The statement also offers useful guidance: “A developing life in the womb does not have an absolute right to be born, nor does a pregnant woman have an absolute right to terminate a pregnancy. The concern for both the life of the woman and the developing life in her womb expresses a common commitment to life.”

A last resort
“The strong Christian presumption is to preserve and protect life,” the statement says. “Abortion ought to be an option only of last resort. Therefore, as a church we seek to reduce the need to turn to abortion. ...We also deplore the circumstances that lead a woman to consider abortion as the best option available to her.”

The statement adds: “The church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion.” These are the threat to a woman’s physical life; when pregnancy has resulted from rape, incest or sexual violence; and fetal abnormalities incompatible with life.

Basic faith convictions undergird the ELCA statement. Created in God’s image, we see all of life as a mysterious, awesome gift. As a community of forgiven sinners, Christians are free to make just and caring choices. In fact, the statement says, “we have both the freedom and the obligation to engage in serious deliberation on moral matters.” A compassionate community, praying and standing with those in struggle, is called neither to judge nor justify but to support people making difficult moral decisions.

The Lutheran | August 2000 | Since You Asked
By Norma and Burton Everist

375
posted on 05/31/2009 10:45:41 AM PDT
by truthandlife
("Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Ps 20:7))

Then we have to make the case that this killer is no more representative of the pro-life movement as a whole than Theodore Kascynsky (killed 3, injured 23) was representative of all environmentalists or Al Gore supporters.

I'm sure Tiller gave the Church thousands in tithes which helped the church look the other way. Yes, sinners are supposed to go to church. But true repentance, which is imperative for a Christian, would necessitate turning away from sinful actions and to pray every day for God's help in not repeating those actions. I just can't see any repentance in the life of Tiller even though he goes to church.

Although this may prove to be a little bit of a quandary for those liberals who are swift to attach hypocrisy to every Christian. They can't defend their abortion stance and call Tiller a hypocrite for going to church at the same time. If they try to defend Tiller as a good Christian then they can't point the "hypocrite" finger at Christians any more.

381
posted on 05/31/2009 10:46:43 AM PDT
by 3catsanadog
(I plan to give the new President the same respect and dignity the other side gave Bush.)

"It is sad that a church would not have helped this man to rethink his lifes work, but this is the way the devil works."

Somebody earlier on this thread said that the church (Reformed Lutheran?) was pro-abortion. He probably searched for a church until he found one that suited his needs. He obviously wasn't interested in rethinking his life's work.

382
posted on 05/31/2009 10:47:14 AM PDT
by mass55th
(Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)

"We are shocked at this mornings disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tillers family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ."

Tiller’s “specialty” was late-term abortions of babies who were capable of living outside the womb. It is very difficult to sympathize with someone who does that, though I will certainly pray for his soul. I have not seen a single comment on this thread supporting the murderer.

387
posted on 05/31/2009 10:48:03 AM PDT
by wagglebee
("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)

Yup...thats exactly what happened the last time some abortionists were taken out. Many doctors left this field of endeavor and the clinics were bellyaching that they couldnt find anyone to do hit-jobs on babies.
+++++++++++++++

Do we respect the Constitution and rule of law or not? We can’t have it both ways - and I’m as PROLIFE as they come!! Bad for the movement. A setback today. We need to fight this battle in society.

And it’s a shame as for the first time since 1995, more people ID’d themselves as pro-life than pro-choice...why are we going to toss away decades of dedicated work, for some craziness like this? We’ve got to think of the greatest good for the most unborn. I know that what Tiller did was heinous.

392
posted on 05/31/2009 10:49:14 AM PDT
by SeattleBruce
(God, Family, Country and the Tea Party! Take America Back! [I hate the BIGOTS in the enemedia.])

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